|
Traffic in the western extension has fallen by 13%, according to government figures, while traffic in the existing congestion area remains at about 20% below pre-charging levels and has not increased since the expansion.
But Chief Executive of the FPB, Nick Goulding, said that that would not compensate smaller businesses in the extended zone.
The reduction in congestion is not proportionate to the extra costs incurred by companies in the area. They have had to suffer reduced profitability, make cut-backs or pass the costs on to the consumer. I am sure that employees will take little comfort from these figures, given that they too are either out of pocket or facing the grim prospect of public transport.
In the long term, it will be no consolation for the local economy either, as businesses begin to relocate and employees are reluctant to travel there, he added. |
